Taking my Vintage Air Rifles to the USA, advice requested?

[ashf9999]

The OP states He's been told of the extra cost of £65.
I still fail to understand why people seem to delight in complicating matters

Maybe he wants a usable luggage case in future for holidays. I’d imagine it’s up to him.

[airgunwerks]

When I flew to the US to start my new life, I brought my NJR100 and pellets, I did all the correct notifications, the pellets were separate in my luggage, Virgin security put me in a little room for an hour and I almost missed my flight......

[Segata]

Thats probably more their end failing to communicate more than anything you've done, in OPs case I'd be making sure to double check they are aware at each point as it'll show he's nothing to hide and everythings compliant, plus if there is an issue it can then be proved and have any flights, hotel costs etc reimbursed if they cause him to miss his flight.

[Goldenkey2025]

Thanks for the input everyone..
So, looked at a couple of hard cases in person...

The one like Angry Bear suggested is great, and obviously a dedicated rifle case...
But its 53 inches long, not very deep, and very cumbersome..
My trip is complicated by 4x train journeys, and it just doesn't feel like the right tool for the job.

As someone said, this will be a "One off" situation, and the rifles will never be in this case again.
So, I found a solution... I think..
I bought a used Pelican 1605 AIR hard case.
Like this...
https://www.pelican.com/us/en/produc...16050-0011-110

Its about 29" X 17" x 10" or 736mm x 430mm x 250mm.
Close to a normal suitcase size.
Paid $125 for it, and I think it will work good.
The foam in it is already cut to whatever i had been used for before, so that will be coming out anyway.
Stocks should be able to fit in too, either straight or on the diagonal a bit.
I can then use it for Camera gear later.

I spoke to VIRGIN, and the guy told me the 65 GBP charge is a normal extra bag charge... so if I go on a ticket that includes 2x bags, its free.
Spoke to ATF and the very nice lady looked up the Air Rifles in the ATF Database... which I thought was COOL...
She declared there are no restrictions for import, so that was good.

[ashf9999]

Good to hear. Hope it all goes well for you.

[Segata]

Fingers crossed and safe journey

[Goldenkey2025]

In the call to the ATF she commented that I should double check with Customs and Border Patroltoo. She said they are the ones that could confiscate or impound upon arrival.
I went to the website, and found a messaging system that I used to ask the questions.
Says 7-10 days to get a response, so I will update when I receive.

So, I think I’ve covered everything… but I’m still anxious that something could go wrong. 😬

[angrybear]

Maybe he wants a usable luggage case in future for holidays. I’d imagine it’s up to him.

Of course it's up to the individual,
my thinking is simply that carried disassembled in a "normal" suitcase might be considered as concealing, to a jobsworth (which all US border force are)
compared to openly carrying a rifle case.
I hope the trip is entirely trouble free, whatever the choice.